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Tim Donaghy might be pointing out the obvious at this point when he says that other refs in the NBA helped decide playoff games. In a letter written by Donaghy’s lawyers, he cites that refereers helped determine the outcome of games and extend series longer than they should have.

The letter also details an incident in the 2002 playoffs in which Donaghy alleges that two referees, who were known as NBA “company men,” wanted to extend a series to seven games. “Team 5″ could have wrapped up the series in Game 6 but saw two players foul out, lost the game and ultimately the series.

You’d never guess this based on the Eastern Conference, where every series seems to make it to Game 7. You’d also never guess this from the fouls called, given that Boston shot 38 free throws in Game 2 and LA shot 10. Hmmmm. . .